T5 Lighting for a Standard 120???

HOBrien · 05/01/2010, 06:03 PM

As the title states I am just trying to get some input on to getting a 36" or 48" light fixture for my tank. It will either be 6 or 8 bulbs.

I am going to want to keep SPS, LPS, and a few softies.

HOBrien · 05/01/2010, 07:42 PM

Since there was no input but views I decided to add a poll. I will most likely be ordering tonight.

Mr. Right · 05/01/2010, 07:48 PM

An ATI 36x6 bulb would do fine.

HOBrien · 05/01/2010, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Right

An ATI 36x6 bulb would do fine.

So pretty much as long as it has 6 bulbs and has individual reflectors????

HOBrien · 05/01/2010, 07:54 PM

Also what bulb combo would yall suggest either in the 6 bulb or the 8 bulb...

milkman55 · 05/01/2010, 08:09 PM

I have the 8 bulb TEK fixture with 4 ATI Blue Plus, 2 Aqua Blue Special, and 2 Actinic White.

I have never heard of a 36" T-5 fixure on a 48" tank. I have my fixture on tank mounts and it sits about 4" over the water. I would definitely have dead spots if there was no light over the last 6" on each end.

You can do that with MH, but I would not think it would work for T5.

HOBrien · 05/01/2010, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman55

I have the 8 bulb TEK fixture with 4 ATI Blue Plus, 2 Aqua Blue Special, and 2 Actinic White.

I have never heard of a 36" T-5 fixure on a 48" tank. I have my fixture on tank mounts and it sits about 4" over the water. I would definitely have dead spots if there was no light over the last 6" on each end.

You can do that with MH, but I would not think it would work for T5.

They way they do it with a 36" fixture is only if it is hung above the tank and that would provide the ability for full coverage.

HOBrien · 05/01/2010, 09:45 PM

what do yall think of this light fixture?

http://www.aquacave.com/sun-blaze-t-...upply-699.html

HOBrien · 05/01/2010, 09:46 PM

or this one?

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewIt...size=48%20Inch

Fishamatank · 05/01/2010, 09:49 PM

I went with 7 48" bulbs with Ice Cap ballasts retrofitted in a canopy. I would do 6 48" bulbs.

HOBrien · 05/01/2010, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishamatank

I went with 7 48" bulbs with Ice Cap ballasts retrofitted in a canopy. I would do 6 48" bulbs.

And that will be able to handle any light needs of SPS corals?

Fishamatank · 05/01/2010, 10:07 PM

I have actually had to cut back my photoperiod because of bleaching. I don't have a ton of SPS, but I have a few acro's 18" from the lights that were getting burned (admittedly with too long of a photoperiod). Anyway, it's a TON of light.

Slim_jim989 · 05/01/2010, 10:33 PM

I have a tek 8x54w and i love it great coverage and i can keep almost anything anywhere. heres my combo
ATI Blue +
Aquablue special
KZ fiji purple
2 ATI Blue +
KZ fiji purple
aquable special
ati blue +

Johnny C · 05/01/2010, 11:10 PM

If you want to maintain Soft Corals & LPS without bleaching, go with a six-bulb (i.e. Tek). I speak from experience...

HOBrien · 05/02/2010, 12:04 AM

Thank you all. I went with a 48" 6bulb fixture.

View Poll Results: Which would be ample for a Regular 120gallon reef
36" 6 bulb	2	8.70%
48" 6 bulb	11	47.83%
36" 8 bulb	0	0%
48" 8 bulb	10	43.48%
Voters: 23. You may not vote on this poll

05/01/2010, 06:03 PM	#1
HOBrien Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Abilene, TX Posts: 1,439	T5 Lighting for a Standard 120??? As the title states I am just trying to get some input on to getting a 36" or 48" light fixture for my tank. It will either be 6 or 8 bulbs. I am going to want to keep SPS, LPS, and a few softies. __________________ Heath Disabled Vet Current Tank Info: Have a Neo Nano just set up.

05/01/2010, 07:42 PM	#2
HOBrien Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Abilene, TX Posts: 1,439	Since there was no input but views I decided to add a poll. I will most likely be ordering tonight. __________________ Heath Disabled Vet Current Tank Info: Have a Neo Nano just set up.

05/01/2010, 07:48 PM	#3
Mr. Right Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Here Posts: 521	An ATI 36x6 bulb would do fine. __________________ He who knows does not speak, He who speaks does not know Current Tank Info: Old tanks: 37gal mixed, 57 gal mixed, 120 sps. Current tank 18”x18”x18” rimless in the works.

05/01/2010, 07:54 PM	#5
HOBrien Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Abilene, TX Posts: 1,439	Also what bulb combo would yall suggest either in the 6 bulb or the 8 bulb... __________________ Heath Disabled Vet Current Tank Info: Have a Neo Nano just set up.

05/01/2010, 08:09 PM	#6
milkman55 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Parkville, MO Posts: 832	I have the 8 bulb TEK fixture with 4 ATI Blue Plus, 2 Aqua Blue Special, and 2 Actinic White. I have never heard of a 36" T-5 fixure on a 48" tank. I have my fixture on tank mounts and it sits about 4" over the water. I would definitely have dead spots if there was no light over the last 6" on each end. You can do that with MH, but I would not think it would work for T5.

05/01/2010, 09:45 PM	#8
HOBrien Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Abilene, TX Posts: 1,439	what do yall think of this light fixture? http://www.aquacave.com/sun-blaze-t-...upply-699.html __________________ Heath Disabled Vet Current Tank Info: Have a Neo Nano just set up.

05/01/2010, 09:46 PM	#9
HOBrien Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Abilene, TX Posts: 1,439	or this one? http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewIt...size=48%20Inch __________________ Heath Disabled Vet Current Tank Info: Have a Neo Nano just set up.

05/01/2010, 09:49 PM	#10
Fishamatank Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 1,017	I went with 7 48" bulbs with Ice Cap ballasts retrofitted in a canopy. I would do 6 48" bulbs.

05/01/2010, 10:07 PM	#12
Fishamatank Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 1,017	I have actually had to cut back my photoperiod because of bleaching. I don't have a ton of SPS, but I have a few acro's 18" from the lights that were getting burned (admittedly with too long of a photoperiod). Anyway, it's a TON of light.

05/01/2010, 10:33 PM	#13
Slim_jim989 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Milford ks Posts: 382	I have a tek 8x54w and i love it great coverage and i can keep almost anything anywhere. heres my combo ATI Blue + Aquablue special KZ fiji purple 2 ATI Blue + KZ fiji purple aquable special ati blue +

05/01/2010, 11:10 PM	#14
Johnny C Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 4,140	If you want to maintain Soft Corals & LPS without bleaching, go with a six-bulb (i.e. Tek). I speak from experience... __________________ "...the sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonders forever" -Jacques Cousteau

05/02/2010, 12:04 AM	#15
HOBrien Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Abilene, TX Posts: 1,439	Thank you all. I went with a 48" 6bulb fixture. __________________ Heath Disabled Vet Current Tank Info: Have a Neo Nano just set up.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Question about WavePoint T5 lighting.	laxbograt	Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment	0	04/13/2010 01:46 PM
Assistance in aisle T5	Drewbaby	Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment	4	04/02/2010 07:50 PM
Current USA Halide T5 Combo lost the T5s today	psilver	Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment	1	10/26/2009 05:45 PM
t5 lighting suggestions?	surfnturf	Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment	7	10/17/2009 11:06 AM